How exactly does this recursive function work in JavaScript?

Question

I have the following example of a recursive function, and what I don\'t understand is the order in which things are happening:

function power(base, exponent)         


        

Answer 1

It is generally helpful in understanding recursive functions such as this to work things out like you would in an algebra class. Consider:

power(3, 4) 
= 3 * power(3, 3)
= 3 * (3 * power(3, 2))
= 3 * (3 * (3 * power(3, 1)))
= 3 * (3 * (3 * (3 * power(3, 0))))
= 3 * (3 * (3 * (3 * 1)))
= 3 * (3 * (3 * 3))
...
= 81